Famous Jameis vs. the Bronx Bombers. The first image that comes to my mind when reading that phrase is a match up between two Disco dancing teams from the 1970's. The second image is an small, but historic moment in Major League history.
OPPOSITE VIEW: WHY JAMEIS PLAYING BASEBALL IS SILLY
The Yankees are facing the Florida State Seminoles in an exhibition baseball game on Tuesday. Yankees' manager Joe Girardi said Vidal Nuno will start. Outfielder Brett Gardner, who signed a four-year extension on Sunday, is slated to start in center field. The big question surrounding the exhibition game is will Florida State play star right-handed pitcher Jameis Winston?
Winston, known across the world as “Famous Jameis,” is a pitcher and outfielder for the Seminoles. He also won the 2013 Heisman Trophy award for being college football's best player. Winston isn't the first college athlete to play football and baseball, though he may be one of the few to play both professionally.
“I believe you can do anything you put your mind to,’’ said Winston. “Of course, everyone is going to say, ‘Oh wow, that’s hard.’ But you have to think about how sports has changed. It was easier to do that back then (when Jackson and Deion Sanders played both sports). Now it’s more difficult. But I’m living my life the way I want to live it. And anything I put my mind to I’m going to try to do it.’’
Now the chances are slim that Winston plays Baseball and Football professionally. The two notable multi-sport athletes who come to mind are Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders. Jackson played eight seasons in Major League Baseball with Royals, White Sox and Angels. He hit .250 with 141 home runs. One home run he hit in the 1989 all-star game gave Jackson all-star MVP honors as well. In the NFL, Jackson played four seasons with Oakland Raiders. He ran for 2,782 career yards on a 5.4 yards per carry average. He was also named to the 1990 NFL Pro Bowl.
Sanders played with four teams (Yankees, Braves, Reds and Giants) during his nine seasons in the Major Leagues. He was a career .263 hitter who stole 186 bases. In 1992 while with the Braves, Sanders led the National League in triples with 14. The Braves made the 1992 World Series, but lost to the Blue Jays. Sanders would've won World Series MVP had the Braves won the series. He hit .533 (eight hits in 15 at bats) with two doubles and five stolen bases. Of course, Sanders was more known for his NFL career with Falcons and Cowboys. He was selected to eight career Pro Bowls and was the 1994 NFL Defense Player of the Year. Sanders was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
Florida State Football fans probably want Winston to quit his baseball career for the fear he would get injured on the diamond. The truth is Winston has a lot of potential in both sports. Baseball America gave a scouting report of Winston on their website.
“If football weren’t a factor, Winston would have a solid chance to be a 2015 first-round pick in baseball. On the mound, he showed a 92-94 mph fastball and a promising slider. Because he has gained weight for football, he isn’t the well above-average runner he used to be, but he’s still a solid-average runner with a right fielder’s arm.”
Winston is one of the few athletes over the last ten years that can play Baseball and Football well. I believe he can play well enough to make the professional ranks in both sports. Jackson and Sanders proved it can be done. If Winston has the heart and mindset to try them both, I say go for it. As for today's game vs. the Yankees, I believe Winston will play. If anything else, it's a good PR opportunity for Florida State. There is no doubt highlights of the game will be shown on Sportscenter if Winston plays.
There is one match up I do want to see tomorrow, even though it probably won't happen.
Jameis Winston vs. Derek Jeter. Now that is the Spring Training battle of the century.
Do you agree with Orso or Flood? Let us know in the comments below.
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